Click on the link on Veterans Affairs Markup hearing that was posted today. It will show that our bill S 396 was not placed on the agenda for a markup. What does this mean to us? It means that our bill in the Senate will not be discussed at all at today's meeting.
According to Dave Hanke, Assistant to Senator John Cornyn on Military and Veterans Affairs, this does not mean that the bill is dead. It means that right now the Committee does not want to deal with it. It was more or less expected but it was necessary that it at least was discussed at the June 8 hearing on bills before the Committee. He urges veterans to continue with the letter writing campaign. He also suggests of trying to bring Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Lt. Gen. Eric Shinseki to the valley. This is a tall order, but you never know if set our mind to it.
We have been told in the past that our bills were just filed and placed on a committee to gather dust. The only reason for filing was to appease the veterans. Well this Session the bills are moving. So we must say, "Never say Never".
If any one has any suggestions please feel free to let us know. You can call me at 226.9176.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Hearing on Senate Markup
Senators John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison send a letter to the Veterans Affairs requesting that S 396 be placed up for discussion at their June 29th markup session. If S 396 gets markup, then it will be send to the Full House for a vote. RGV Valley Vets have been writing to Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair and to Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) ranking member. According to Cornyn's staff the letter was hand delivered.
Hidalgo County Judge has also send a similar letter in support of S 396. Judge Garcia's office has informed us that his email was send via fax with confirmation of receipt.
Also, some veterans have been emailing Senator Murray's Chief of Staff, Mike Spahn, to inform the Senator of S 396. This was done fairly recently because slow mail would not get there before the meeting's agenda. Emails were also sent to Jennifer McCarthy, clerk at the Vet/Aff Comm.
The committee has announced its schedule but an agenda was not listed in announcement. It will he held at the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m. If you have a chance tune it via their web page.
Hidalgo County Judge has also send a similar letter in support of S 396. Judge Garcia's office has informed us that his email was send via fax with confirmation of receipt.
Also, some veterans have been emailing Senator Murray's Chief of Staff, Mike Spahn, to inform the Senator of S 396. This was done fairly recently because slow mail would not get there before the meeting's agenda. Emails were also sent to Jennifer McCarthy, clerk at the Vet/Aff Comm.
The committee has announced its schedule but an agenda was not listed in announcement. It will he held at the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m. If you have a chance tune it via their web page.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Veterans meet with Senator Cornyn' Staff
Harlingen, TX
Senator John Cornyn's Regional Office
June 21, 2011
Valley veterans met with Dave Hanke, Military and Veterans Affairs asssitant to Senator John Cornyn, Lt. Maxwell Keith, assistant to Hanke and Ana Maria Garcia, regional coordinator for Senator John Cornyn via satellite phone confernce. The issues discussed were SB 396 which is pending before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. The bill was discussed at the Committee on June 8th and is scheduled to be discussed again on June 29th. Hanke provided information to the veterans as to where to direct their letter writing campaign. Also, he mentioned that he needed up to date fact and figures from the local VA on the services of veterans.
There was a good question and anwere discussion and veterans were glad that Hanke provided truthful and sound answers to their questions. He told them that we still had a fight on our hands and that the VA was not necessarily on our side. We needed to conquer that belief and change their mind as to the need of a VA hospital for south Texass.
HB 2055 as it relates to the ammendment of Congressman Cuellar's HB 1318 was also discussed, But Hanke stated that Cuellar or his staff would be the ones to ask. He commanded Cuellar for his actions and movement of his bill.
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Pablo Flores, Rey Molano, Leo Hinojosa, Treto Garza, Adelarido Cantu, Joe Ibarra, Pedro Juarez, Antonio Carmona, Tony Arenas, Rey Oropez, Mike Escobedo.
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Pablo Flores, Adelaido Cantu, Joe ibarra, Antonio Carmona, Mike Escobedo, Rey Oropez, Rey Molano, Manuel Pena, Hortencia Pena Maria Carmona, Treto
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Treto Garza, Ruben Cantu, Adelaido Cantu, Pedro Juarez, Georgios Moros, Antonio Cantu, Tony Arenas Rey Oropez and Mike Escobedo
Senator John Cornyn's Regional Office
June 21, 2011
Valley veterans met with Dave Hanke, Military and Veterans Affairs asssitant to Senator John Cornyn, Lt. Maxwell Keith, assistant to Hanke and Ana Maria Garcia, regional coordinator for Senator John Cornyn via satellite phone confernce. The issues discussed were SB 396 which is pending before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. The bill was discussed at the Committee on June 8th and is scheduled to be discussed again on June 29th. Hanke provided information to the veterans as to where to direct their letter writing campaign. Also, he mentioned that he needed up to date fact and figures from the local VA on the services of veterans.
There was a good question and anwere discussion and veterans were glad that Hanke provided truthful and sound answers to their questions. He told them that we still had a fight on our hands and that the VA was not necessarily on our side. We needed to conquer that belief and change their mind as to the need of a VA hospital for south Texass.
HB 2055 as it relates to the ammendment of Congressman Cuellar's HB 1318 was also discussed, But Hanke stated that Cuellar or his staff would be the ones to ask. He commanded Cuellar for his actions and movement of his bill.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Senate Bill 396 Full Service Medical Center for South Texas
"Our service members should never have to come home from fighting a war only to fight to get the benefits and care that they deserve," said Senator Patty Murray when she was named to the Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. She is considered one of the best friends that veterans have in Washington D.C. She is about making sure that the Veterans Affairs meets its mandate of caring for our Veterans.
It seems like these words were meant and apply to the thousands of veterans of South Texas. You could say it describes the multitude of problems faced by our servicemen and women encounter when they returned from War. A prime example is the quest for a Veterans hospital for south Texas that started with WW II veterans. Since then and up until now veteran have been advocating for a full service Veterans Affairs Full Medical Service Center for the area's 110,000 veterans. The nearest VA hospital is 250 miles away.
Veterans in south Texas have been ignored by the VA, especially those that participated in the war theaters of Vietnam and Korea. If any of our veterans have been abandoned it is those that fought in these two skirmishers. And, south Texas is the home of many veterans of WW II, Korea, and Vietnam. Older veterans that are now more than ever having problems obtaining their benefits from the Veterans Affairs. Many of these veterans resigned themselves from applying for benefits out of frustration of the many tactics used by VA to discouraged the very veterans that they are suppose to serve. "The deny, deny until they die" attitude of the VA applies here to the T. Veterans are dying at an alarming rate, many will never enjoy those benefits. President Lincoln is probably turning in his grave.
Senator Patty Murray, your constituents have a great representative for the state of Washington. And as Chair of the Vet/Aff Comm. we hope that the rest of America enjoys your dedication to the veterans. Please help us with SB 396. It is our bill for our Senator allowed us to participate in the wording of the contents of the bill. Simple and to the point.
To our veterans in south Texas, let us hope that Chairwoman remembers these very words when she hears of Senate Bill 396. SB 396 is the furthest that south Texas veterans have advanced in their fight for a VA hospital. Veterans have been fighting for a VA hospital since our servicemen returned from World War II. Other war veterans followed suit. And are still at it.
Is there a light at the end of the tunnel. Chairwoman Murray is a great position to help veterans of south Texas by allowing SB 396 to be placed on her agenda for discussion and a vote. It would be great if Senator John Cornyn would be allowed to testify on behalf of his bill.
It seems like these words were meant and apply to the thousands of veterans of South Texas. You could say it describes the multitude of problems faced by our servicemen and women encounter when they returned from War. A prime example is the quest for a Veterans hospital for south Texas that started with WW II veterans. Since then and up until now veteran have been advocating for a full service Veterans Affairs Full Medical Service Center for the area's 110,000 veterans. The nearest VA hospital is 250 miles away.
Veterans in south Texas have been ignored by the VA, especially those that participated in the war theaters of Vietnam and Korea. If any of our veterans have been abandoned it is those that fought in these two skirmishers. And, south Texas is the home of many veterans of WW II, Korea, and Vietnam. Older veterans that are now more than ever having problems obtaining their benefits from the Veterans Affairs. Many of these veterans resigned themselves from applying for benefits out of frustration of the many tactics used by VA to discouraged the very veterans that they are suppose to serve. "The deny, deny until they die" attitude of the VA applies here to the T. Veterans are dying at an alarming rate, many will never enjoy those benefits. President Lincoln is probably turning in his grave.
Senator Patty Murray, your constituents have a great representative for the state of Washington. And as Chair of the Vet/Aff Comm. we hope that the rest of America enjoys your dedication to the veterans. Please help us with SB 396. It is our bill for our Senator allowed us to participate in the wording of the contents of the bill. Simple and to the point.
To our veterans in south Texas, let us hope that Chairwoman remembers these very words when she hears of Senate Bill 396. SB 396 is the furthest that south Texas veterans have advanced in their fight for a VA hospital. Veterans have been fighting for a VA hospital since our servicemen returned from World War II. Other war veterans followed suit. And are still at it.
Is there a light at the end of the tunnel. Chairwoman Murray is a great position to help veterans of south Texas by allowing SB 396 to be placed on her agenda for discussion and a vote. It would be great if Senator John Cornyn would be allowed to testify on behalf of his bill.
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